New Delhi : Charging
the NDA government of running away from Parliament to avoid
discussions on burning issues like demonetisation, poor GST
implementation, the situation in Jammu and Kashmir and the
Doklam standoff, the Congress on Monday demanded that the Winter
session be convened immediately.

Talking to reporters here, AICC spokesperson Manish Tewari
said,'the Winter session of Parliament is usually convened in
the third week of November. Summons are issued to member of
Parliament 15 days before it is convened.

However, it is already November 13 and till date there is no
sign of the Winter session being called. Why is that the NDA
Government is not convening the Parliament. What is that the
Government is so scared of that it is running away from
convening Parliament. We would like to demand that the Winter
session be convened immediately. Let not any assembly election
in a state become an excuse for the Government to run away from
Parliament.'

Describing Parliament as being at the heart of Indian Democracy,
Mr Tewari said it was a forum for discussion on several burning
issues like demonetisation, GST, the situation in Jammu and
Kashmir and the Doklam standoff.

'It is the facing of Parliament that adds to the majesty of
India's Democratic tradition. There are several issues that loom
on the National horizon- one year of Demonetisation and its
impact on the Indian economy, the failed implementation of the
goods and services tax, the situation in Jammu and Kashmir,
India's policy towards Pakistan, the situation in Doklam etc.
The Parliament needs a discussion on these issues and the
Government needs to come up with answers.

Is the Government scared of coming out with answers which is why
the temple of democracy is not being convened,' he said.

He said the government failing to convene Parliament was a
reflection of this government's lack of respect for National
institutions, Mr Tewari said,'the larger issues is this
Government's lack of respect for National institutions like the
Reserve Bank of India, the witch hunting of the comptroller and
auditor general and the investigating agencies like the CBI
being unleashed against the opposition.'

Asked about the plan of action by the Congress in case the
Parliament session was not convened, Mr Tewari said,'if the
Government still does not listen to us, all options are open.
Whatever needs to be done to ensure the functioning of
Parliament would be done. Under no circumstances will we allow
subverting of institutions.'

Calling on all political parties to voice their concern on the
issue, he said,'this is a basic issue on which political parties
should voice their concern.

The Parliament reflects the voice of the people and all respect
should be given to it.'